Alarm for drip-pans.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE T. MALLETT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIG-NOR OFV ONE-HALF TO ALEXANDRE BUZENAC, OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

ALARM FOR DRIP-PANS.

and' useful Improvements in Alarms for Drip-Pans, of which the following is a specification. 4

This invention relates to an alarm attachment for the drip pans ofV refrigerators, de-

the pan reaches a predetermined height, so that the pan.- may be emptied before over flowing' occurs.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive construction of device of this character which may be conveniently applied toany ordinary type of refrigerator drip pan, and which may be regulated to sound the alarm at any desired level within determined limits.

`Theinvention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 isa vertical'section through a refrigerator drip pan showing, in elevation, the application of the invention. a top plan view of the valarm device detached. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the bracket arm, showing the means for adjustably supporting the bell. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the bell, with the cover removed, showing the hammer and detent, the latter appearing in section. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bell with'a portion of the casing and the cover broken away, showing the parts in their normal position.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a refrigerator drip pan, formed of cast iron or sheet metal, and having at its upper edge an outturned rim or bead 2.

My improved alarm device is adapted to application to and use upon drip pans of this character and comprises a horizontal bracket 3 having a longitudinal slot or bifurcation 4 opening through its inner end, the arms of the bifurcation having their free ends bent or coiled to form bearings 5, for a purpose hereinafter described. The other end of the bracket is provided with -an upwardly extending right angular bearing arm 6 to bear against the inner side of Sp'ecication of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 19, 1908.

Patented May 16, 1911. serial No. 468,376.

the pan, and is bent beyond the arm to provide a U-shape'd clasp 8 to engage the rim 2, and beyond the clasp the free end of the metal ofr which the bracket is composed extends downward in the form of a reinforcing arm 9 adapted to rest against the outer side of the vessel to cooperate with the arm 6 and prevent possibility of any shifting or tilting' movementofthe bracket from its normal horlzontal position. signed to give warning, when the water 1n p Avlever 10, carrying at its outer end a ioat l1, 1s formed at its inner end with a circular head or enlargement 12 which iits in the outer end of the bifurcation 4 of the bracket A bell 15, of that type having a vibrating hammer 15 andispring actuated operating means therefor, and of which 16 represents the spring, is supported on the bracket and? has a threaded stem 17 projecting downward through the slotor bifurcation 4, thus allowing the bell to be adjusted on the bracket between the arm and lug 14 of the lever 10', said screw being provided with a wing nut 18, by which the bell may be fastened in adjusted posit-ion. The spring 16 is adapted t-o be wound by any suitable type of winding device, and is normally held from unwinding by a detent 19. This detent lies in the path of a trip or releasing device 20, consisting of a rod or bar actuated by the movements of the lever 10 and fitted at its outer end in the slot or bifurcation of the lug 14, in which it is loosely mounted. Suitable nuts, washers or retaining disks 21 are provided on the trip rod to engage the opposite sides of the Lug and limit the movements of the rod.

In the use of the alarm device, such device is applied to the drip pan in the manner shown in Fig. 1, and the spring wound up. vWhen the water in the drip pan is below the height at which it is intended to have the alarm sound, the trip rod lies out of contact with the detent, so that the spring and bell hammer remain inactive. As the water rises, the lever is gradually elevated and the trip device gradually approachesV the detent. When the water has reached the highest intended level, the lever 10 reaches/110 the limit of its upward movement, in which it has moved the lug 14 a maximum distance toward the bell, whereby the trip or releasing rod is brought into engagement with the detent and the latter retracted to release the spring, whereupon the alarm will sound and notify the proper person that the drip pan requires attention. By adjusting the bell back and forth on the bracket, the normal space between the detent and trip rodl may' be varied, so as to adapt the alarm to be actuated at different desired levels within determined limits.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawing, it will be seen that my invention provides a simple, inexpensive and efficient type of alarm device which may be employed upon any drip pan of ordinary construction, and which will positively give an alarm when the water reaches the maximum level to call attention to that fact so that the pan may be emptied before the water overflows therefrom.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. An alarm device for drip pans comprising a bracket adapted for attachment to the pan, a spring actuated alarm device adjustably mounted on the bracket, a float lever pivotally connected with the bracket, a trip device carried by said alarm device and adapted for movement to throw said alarm device into action, and an actuating device therefor carried by the lever and toward and from which said alarm device is adf justable.

2. An alarm attachment for drip pans comprising a supporting bracket, a bell mounted upon the bracket and having a spring actuated hammer and a detent for normally holding the same from movement, a float lever pivotally mounted upon the bracket and having an upwardly projecting lug, and a sliding releasing device adapted to engage and release said detent, said dee vice having a loose sliding engagement with the lug and having contacts to engage the same.

3. An alarm attachment for drip pans comprising a supporting bracket, a float lever pivotally mounted upon the bracket and having an upstanding bifurcated lug, a bell adjustably mounted upon the bracket with relation to the said lug and provided with a spring actuated hammer and a detent for normally holding the same from movement, a slidable releasing device movable to engage and release said detent and projecting through the bifurcated lug and contacts on said device at opposite sides of the lug.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE T. MALLETT.

lVitnesses:

JAMES LENAHAN, THOMAS F. BEATY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

